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Richmond Virginia (VA) Farmer Markets 2012
Eat more vegetables. Here is a list of local farmer markets. Also see VA Dept of Agriculture: Farmers Markets in Virginia | Google Maps of Farmers Markets
Richmond Virginia (VA) Farms and Food Co-Ops (CSAs)
Stephanie St.Clair, of Hampton Roads, for winning the CSA raffle!
On April 22, 2013, in conjunction with Earth Day, the Virginia Food System Council (VFSC), announced the winner of a $700 Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscription. This drawing, held as part of our $10-a-week Challenge, promotes our mission to expand production and availability of locally-grown, fresh and nutritious food while making it accessible and affordable to all Virginians. Each person who took the pledge since its launch in March 2012 was entered into the drawing for this local CSA subscription.
About a year ago Stephanie was searching out local food at her neighborhood grocer. When she asked the employee in the produce department what was in season he replied, "EVERYTHING". She repeated, "No, what I mean is. what is in season here in Virginia?". The employee had no idea. From there she began her search for local foods near Hampton Roads. She heard about her local Buy Fresh, Buy Local and investigated the website, and then followed the link to 'Take the pledge' to eat $10 a Week of local food. Stephanie's Response to Winning: She was shocked to find an email that said she had won the drawing. At first she thought how her vegetable-loving dog was going to be so excited about all the extra veggie snacks, then she reflected and changed her mind. When Stephanie was a younger, she often didn't have enough money to buy food. As a struggling mother, she often relied on her son's daycare to feed him wholesome meals while for herself she'd simply buy a box of rice to eat for the week. She said she knows what it means to be hungry. She reflected on those early times and how her family and friends used to help her out in many ways and give her gift certificates for food. Even though she knew her vegetable-loving dog would be bummed to give up his farm fresh produce snacks, Stephanie was interested in sharing her winnings with hungry families with whom she empathized. What she is doing with her CSA money: She was exposed to the plight of the homeless through the leadership program she attended through LEAD Hampton Roads. She heard about the Judeo-Christian Outreach Center through a former co-worker that is on the JCOC board of directors. She respects the work they do in their nutrition program and contacted the Executive Director, Todd Walker to offer the JCOC her good fortune. Todd was grateful for the gift and told Stephanie that the extra produce provided by the CSA would definitely be of use to them. The Virginia Food System Council is extremely grateful that their prize gift of a $700 CSA was received by such a considerate person with a vision that aligns with the VFSC mission.
Thank you Stephanie
Virginia Association for Biological Farmers (VABF) is the primary organization in the state of Virginia concerned with organic and biological farming and gardening. Their mission is to provide Virginia’s agricultural community with information on ecologically sound agricultural practices, techniques and systems, and to support and encourage the development of healthy, sustainable farms and communities in Virginia. For more information go to http://vabf.org/
USDA announces request for applications for FY 2014 farm to school grants, go to:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/f2s/f2_2013_grant_program.htm
Check out the Urban Farmhouse Market & Café’s newest location at 13872 Coalfield Commons Plaza, Midlothian, VA 23114
Find restaurants that serve Virginia grown foods: http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/search/search-result.cfm?type=restaurant&County=3142&keyword=
Regional food directories: http://virginiafoodsystemcouncil.org/regional-food-directories/
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition will soon begin work on the 2013 Farm Bill, go to http://sustainableagriculture.net/ The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) uses both direct and grassroots advocacy along with public education to accomplish its goals and objectives. NSAC staff engage in advocacy work with legislators and administrative agencies in Washington, DC, while also building the capacity of NSAC member organizations to do effective grassroots organizing work in their regions. This synergy between a well-established DC office and a network of grassroots individuals participating through strong, state-based organizations is the key to NSAC’s many legislative campaign successes. Hunger and Environmental Nutrition If you are interested in or already do work in the area of food security and sustainability and are not already familiar with HEN, please take a moment to review their DPG page
http://www.eatright.org/Members/content.aspx?id=708 and their website http://www.hendpg.org/
Take action to support labeling of GMO products.
The Richmond region has another new CSA… here are some words about Crumptown Farm straight from the source...
“Crumptown Farm is the place naturally good food calls home! We are a small, family farm located in Buckingham County, the Heart of Central Virginia. Our land is 100% chemical free and our produce is raised from non-GMO, chemical free seeds in our own greenhouse. All of the seeds that we begin with are either untreated or Certified Organic. We select many Heirloom varieties as well. We are passionate about bringing our customers Certified Naturally Grown vegetables of the highest quality possible. Our methods include soil enrichment by encouraging microbial life, Japanese Natural Farming techniques, cover cropping and providing beneficial insect habitat. Taste, freshness and nutritionally rich produce grown using natural methods are our main goals.”
To learn more about Crumptown Farm and how to become a member… visit www.crumptownfarm.com
Sprout Richmond is an all volunteer food advocacy group and consultant service that is committed to the growth and success of local, sustainable, artisanal farming & food production serving the Richmond, VA metro region.
Sincerely,
Christopher Humes
Sprout Richmond
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